Rival suitor sets house ablaze

By Thupeyo Muleya

BEITBRIDGE – A long-standing dispute over a man turned nasty at the weekend when a house in Dulibadzimu suburb was allegedly burnt down by one of the rival suitors in a bid to fix her “enemy”. 

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday while the victim, Ms Shyleen Chafadza, was away. Property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed in the inferno.

Police officer commanding Beitbridge district Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chinhengo said the matter was still under investigations adding that no arrests had been made. Residents in the Garikayi/Hlalani Kuhle area suspect the incident to be an act of arson.

In separate interviews the residents said the victim had a long-standing dispute with another resident over a boyfriend.

“We suspect the assailant to be one of the women the victim had been quarrelling with over a boyfriend. This could have been a way of revenge,” said a neighbour who preferred anonymity.

Ms Chafadza said she was called by her sister who stays in the same neighbourhood. She, however, could not be drawn into comment about the boyfriend feud.

“I am lucky to be alive as I believe the assailant wanted to kill me. I was away with friends at a drinking spot when a I got a call from my sister,” she said. The owner of the house, Mr Kijana Maphula, said repairs would require over R60 000.